Recording table or desk



(ModeL) M. S. HOLT.

RECORDING TABLE OR DESK.

Patented Jan. 29, 1884.

THHiIHIM IIIIHIHIHIHIHHH ATTORNEYS.

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. vertical section on line 00 of Fig. 1.

4 lJNiTED STATES- PATENT OFFICE;

MATHINY S. HOLT, OF \VESTON, \VEST VIRGINIA.

RECORDING TAIFBLE'OR DESK.

SPESIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 292,749, dated January 29, 1884.

' Application filed March 24, 1883. (ModeL) To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MATHEW S. HOLT, of Weston, in the county of Lewis and State of West Virginia, have invented a new and usef ul Improvement in Recording Tables or Desks, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had'to the an book-keeper may support his book in a con venient position for making an entry therein;

and the invention consists of the novel construction hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a table showing my invention. Fig. 2 is a Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view. Fig. dis a bottom view of the table, partly broken away. Fig. 5 is a side elevation, partly broken away, showing modifications; and Fig. 6 is 'a detailview, showing a modification.

A indicates a table having a rectangular opening, sawed or otherwise formed in its top B, which extends from one side across the table to any required extent. The piece of the top thus removed is formed into two equal parts, 0 O, which are replaced in the opening and supported on spiral springs E, resting on the bottom F, or on suitable supports. Each part or leaf 0 is provided with. independent springs, so that it may be depressed without disturbing the p"osition of the other part. To the under side of each leaf 0 is attached a strap, G, which passes down through an opening, H, in the bottom F, and is connected to a lever, I, pivoted to the under surface of said bottom, and adapted to be held in any desired POSllJlOllby a horizontal rack-bar, J. One of the levers I is connected at its end to its respective strap, and the other at a point near its center, so that both levers may be moved in the same direction in depressing the leaves C O, and beheld by the same rack-bar. In the openings H are located friction-rollers K, against which the straps G are drawn, respectively, when the leaves are depressed, and the leaves are provided with slotted plates L at their ends, with in other arrangements.

which engage vertical guide plates M, secured to the top and bottom of the table. The ends of the leaves are also beveled from their upper surfaces, to fit against corresponding bevels in the edges of the opening in the top.

one side of the adjacent leaf 0. Thebars slide in guides P and in slots Q, formed in the side of the table, and are held in any desired position by means of notches R in their undersurfaces, which engage with plates S, arranged at the inner ends of the slots. The leaf N may be turned up over the bars 0, to rest thereon, or it may be adjusted at the ends, and plates T, pivoted to the leaf N, maybe turned to positions at right angles thereto to form a base for one-half the book. By the use of this supplemental leaf, a large book may be supported with its right-hand cover in line with the writers arm, and if many leaves of the book are turned over on said cover, theadjacent leaf 0 may be lowered, to bring the surface of the page being written on in same plane with the top of the table.

Instead of the horizontally-moving levers I, vertically-moving levers 1 may be used, as

shown in Fig. 5, in which case a vertical rackbar and guide for the lever will be required;

or pedals J, hingedto the floor and connected to the straps G by rods K, may be employed, racks and guides being provided therefor, as

I do not confine myself, however, to the use of a lever for moving either of the leaves, but may wind the straps G on rollers G by means of cranks on the rollers. In such case the rollers will be provided with pawls and ratchets, as shown in Fig. 6.

What I claim is- 1. The combination, with the body of the recording-table, of the leaves 0 O, the spiral springs E, supporting said leaves independ= ently of each other, the straps G, attached to N, the curved bars 0, provided with notches the leaves and passed through openings in the R, and carrying said leaf, and the guides I, 10 bottom of the table, the friction-rollers K, the located in the table, substantially as shown levers I, connected to said straps, and the rack- I and described, and for the purpose set forth.

5 bar J for retaining the levers in any desired i MATHEW" S. HOLT.

position, substantially as shown and described. I \Vitnesses:

2. The combination, with the table having A. G. Lynn, slots Q, and plates S, of the supplemental leaf 1 SOLON O. KmIoN. 

